Considering a Proform treadmill? Proform home treadmills are some of the most popular budget treadmills on the market today. Proform offers a huge range of treadmills, mostly under $1000, with lots of fitness tracking tools and some cool new workout programs.

Proform is owned and operated by ICON Health and Fitness - one of the largest fitness equipment manufactures in the industry. They also own brands like Nordic Track, Reebok, Epic, Image and Weslo.

Although Proform treadmills used to be made quite poorly, ICON has really worked over the last few years to revitalize and improve on the brand.

Are these treadmills a good buy for you? Here’s a quick review of the Strengths and Weaknesses of the Proform brand to help you make up your mind.

Strengths:

1) Affordable - Obviously one of the main strengths of these treadmills is that they are affordable since they range in price from around $400 and up.

Many buyers these days are on a budget and Proform offers a huge range of affordable options to choose from. Plus in the budget treadmill market (under $500), when you compare them to other brands, Proform units tend to give you more for your money (better warranties, more workout programs, etc.)

2) Improved Models - Many of the new Proform models have improved from the old days of 90 day warranties and short belt sizes.

Over the past couple of years, motor powers have improved, belt sizes have gotten bigger, and warranties have gotten longer - proof of improved construction.

3) Great Fitness Tracking Tools - Proform home treadmills offer a lot of little “extras” to help you get more out of your workout like:

- iFit compatibility (where you can download new workout programs to your treadmill from the Internet or get new workouts from a card that you plug into the console)

- Built-in Fitness assessments and progress tracking tools

- Specialized cross training & calorie burning workouts

- Upper body arm bars (on the Crosswalk models)

- Handweights

- Customizable and Create-Your-Own Workouts

These tools can be help you track your progress and push you to the next level.

Weaknesses:

ICON/Proform has a lot of resources and they can probably build a better budget treadmill than anyone else. However a cheap treadmill is still a cheap treadmill.

Any treadmill under $600 is not best for runners and/or frequent use. It just won’t give you the kind of cushioning and construction quality to last under heavy or prolonged use.

Overall, if you’re going to buy a Proform, the newer, higher end models give you stronger motor powers, better cushioning and longer warranties.

Conclusion:

Proform makes a wide range of treadmills that are affordable if you’re on a budget. Plus they come with some cool fitness tools you won’t find on other brands.

They have also vastly improved in terms of construction, motor power and warranty over the years.

Keep in mind that some of the economy units (under $600) still lack the core essentials of a good value treadmill (high motor power, extensive warranty, large walking space, quality cushioning, etc.)

Overall, you might want to consider the higher end models with stronger motor powers, larger walking areas and better warranties first.

Kathryn ONeill writes for http://www.TreadmillReview.net - offering treadmill brand reviews, product reviews, ‘Best Buys’ and money saving tips. For more reviews visit Proform Treadmill Comparison where you can compare and review the latest Proform treadmill models.

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What is Korean Ginseng?

Korean ginseng is the root of a plant that has been used in Asian medicine for thousands of years, and is believed to have immune-system boosting properties. Korean ginseng generally refers to the root of the slow-growing plant in Korea that is part of the Panax genus. This plant is able to grow in colder areas of Asia, including Korea. Korean ginseng is both harvested in the wild and cultivated.

What is Korean Red Ginseng?

Red Korean ginseng is panax ginseng that is harvested after 6 years and has either been steamed or sun dried. It is often marinated in an herbal brew that causes the ginseng to become brittle. Red ginseng is made from cultivated roots from South Korea. It is believed to have a positive effect on energy and increase sexual function.

What is Korean Ginseng used for?

- Ginseng is an herb that is used to support overall health and to give a boost to the immune system

- Lower blood glucose

- Control blood pressure

- Increase stamina

- Improve mental and physical performance

- Speed recovery from illness

- Increase energy

- Stimulate sexual function

- Enhance libido

How does it work?

The root of Korean ginseng, as well as other Asian and Panax ginsengs contain active chemical components called ginsenosides or panaxosides, which are believed to be responsible for ginseng’s medicinal properties.

Is Korean Ginseng and Korean Red Ginseng safe to consume?

Korean ginseng and Korean red ginseng are classified as a “Generally Recognized As Safe” food or GRAS for short by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Ginseng is not a drug and should not be taken like a drug.

What studies have been done on the effects of Ginseng?

- Studies done in 2001 have shown that red ginseng extract reduces the incidence of cancer, with heat treated or steamed red ginseng having a greater effect

- Studies done in 2002 in a double-blind study on the effect of Korean red ginseng as a treatment for impotence reported that it can be effective in treating males for erectile dysfunction

- A study done in 2002 on the effect of red ginseng on postoperative immunity and survival in patients with gastric cancer that showed a significantly higher five-year disease free survival rate and overall survival rate in patients that took red ginseng powder

Can you overdose on ginseng?

Ginseng is considered generally safe to consume, even in large amounts, but this should be evaluated on a case by case basis with the evaluation of the individual’s health at the time. Ginseng is known to lower blood glucose levels and treat type II diabetes, so if you are currently taking prescription medication to lower your blood glucose levels then it would be wise to consult with your physician and monitor your blood glucose levels regularly.

In what forms can I take Korean ginseng and Korean Red Ginseng?

Korean ginseng is available dried as the normal root and also prepared in tablets, capsules, teas, drinks, extracts and creams as well as many other readily available forms.

Jeff S. is a nutritional adviser on korean ginseng for NutraYoung.com and helps people lose weight fast with korean red ginseng.

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